NEW YORK (VINnews) — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi revealed that unexploded bombs remain at nuclear facilities struck by the United States during the 12-day war in June 2025, creating safety concerns that must be addressed before international inspections can resume.

Speaking to Iranian media, Araghchi said he raised the issue with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi and asked whether there was any law or special protocol governing visits to nuclear facilities that had been attacked militarily. “He said, ‘No, there is no precedent for this problem,’” Araghchi said.

“I told him that a protocol is needed before visits take place, because there are safety and security concerns. There are unexploded bombs, and there are issues we need to agree on,” he added.

Araghchi said inspections should only proceed once agreement is reached on these safety matters, noting that Iran “is in contact with the agency on this issue.”

During the 12 days of the “Rising Lion” war in June 2025, Israel carried out extensive strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites. The United States struck the nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.

Iran’s chief of staff, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and several senior commanders were killed in the strikes, along with nine nuclear scientists.

The Iranian foreign minister also said Iran would not accept demands for “zero enrichment,” calling such conditions “unacceptable.”

“If there are concerns about the objectives of Iran’s nuclear program, we are ready to respond through diplomacy, provide transparency and build confidence,” Araghchi said. “However, zero enrichment at the demand of others is unacceptable.”